| abstract |
Compounds of formula (I): [wherein: one of m and n is 0, and the other is 0, 1 or 2; k is 0 or an integer of from 1 to 12; R1 is hydrogen, one of substituents a, defined below, or an optionally substituted alkyl group; A is a single bond, an oxygen atom, a carbonyl group or a group of formula -N(R2)CO-, -N(R2)CS-, -N(R2)SO2-, -CON(R2)N(R3)CO-, -CON(R2)CO-, -CON(R2)CS -, -CON(R2)SO2-, -O-CO-, -ON(R2)CO-, -ON(R2)SO2-, -O-CON(R2)N(R3)CO-, -O-CON(R2)CO-, -O-CON(R2)SO2-, -CO-O-, -CO-CO-, -CO-CON(R2)N(R3)CO-, -CO-CON(R2)CO-, -CO-CON(R2)SO2-, -N(R2)O-, -N(R2)COCO-, -N(R2)N(R3)CO-, -N(R2)N(R3)SO2-, -N(R2)CON(R3)N(R4)CO-, -N(R2)CON(R3)CO-, -N(R2)CON(R3)SO2- or -N(R2)CON(R3)SO2N(R4)CO- wherein R2, R3 and R4 are the same or different and each is hydrogen, alkyl, aralkyl, acyl or one of substituents .alpha.; B is a single bond, or a group of formula -N(R5)- or -N(R6)N(R5)-wherein R5 and R6 are the same or different and each is hydrogen, alkyl, aralkyl, acyl or one of substituents .alpha., or R5, together with R1 and the nitrogen atom to which they are bonded, may form a heterocyclic ring having from 5 to 7 ring atoms; or R1 may represent a group of formula -OR7, wherein R7 is alkyl, alkenyl, aralkyl or one of substituents .alpha.; or R1 may represent a hydroxy group or a group of formula -OR7; and said substituents .alpha. are selected from the group consisting of aryl groups and heterocyclic groups] and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof have an excellent ability to enhance the activity of glutathione reductase and can therefore be used for the treatment and prevention of a variety of diseases including cataracts. |